I have made it to Southern New Mexico!  It took us an extra day because we got a winter storm in Wyoming & Colorado!  The storm was not something I was expecting because in Baker, Oregon we’ve not had snow for a few weeks.  My mom joined me on my road trip south!  And we have had a great time visiting friends & family along the way.

The road closed to Cheyenne, Wyoming!

My super dirty & frozen car!

Wednesday is the day I travel to El Paso, Texas.  I have a little bit of car work that I need to get done.  Then after that I will head to the New Tribes Mission Guest House & prepare for orientation.  Wednesday is also the day that Amy flies into El Paso – I haven’t seen her since September!  Thursday we will spend in orientation & then on Friday we cross into Mexico.

Please be praying for Amy & I as we are starting out on this new journey.  We will be experiencing a lot of “new” events in our lives.  Please pray with us that God will use us according to His will!

And we also ask for prayer as we are away from our families for a while! It’s very difficult to be away from those we love!

Saying good-byes to good friends!

And family…

One praise I have is that my brother recently came back to the States after being gone for 6 months!  He’s safe & sound in California with his wife!

Thank you so much for your prayers!  Loving & missing y’all, Crystal

*I am having some difficulty getting some pictures to post on my blog.  Hopefully in a few days I can get it figured out!  But here are some in the mean time!


Snow in Northern New Mexico

Freezing Fog in Northern New Mexico!

Buffalo in Wyoming

Colorado

Two weeks ago I wrote you an email letting you know how far Amy & I were away from heading to Mexico. Within one week of us praying together for my support, I got it all plus some more! Here’s how it went. Each day, my support went up a bit, some days by a lot, others by a little. But each day it went up. Then on Monday I went past 60% & reached 62%! Tuesday Amy & I found out that we need to get to Texas on February 24th! Wednesday & Thursday I started to tell some friends & let things start soaking in – Amy & I are moving to Mexico! Now I’m starting to plan for my last few weeks in Oregon & travel plans on the way to Colorado. I’ll be leaving Oregon on February 18 or 19th, arriving in Texas on February 24th, and entering Mexico soon after!

It is so amazing to me at how quickly my support went up! It truly is a huge answer to our prayers for these last two years. And it’s an answer at how faithful God is to us, just by listening and responding to us according to His plan & will!

Here’s what my current checklist is looking like: praying, taxes, Mexican car insurance, packing, saying goodbyes, planning for the road trip, praying, getting things fixed on my car, a dentist appointment, and of course there will be some more things that will get added to my checklist!

Thank you to all of you who have been praying for me as I’ve been working on heading to Mexico, and for some of you it’s been almost 2 years! I am so excited at how God has worked through friends, family & believers that I’ve not met to provide for both Amy’s support and mine!

Thank you so much for your prayers. If you have any questions, please let me know!

Heading to Mexico,
Crystal

October 2009

The month of October was quite exciting with the leaves changing colors and with a few flakes of snow here in Eastern Oregon.  It was also a month in which I was sick quite a bit.  After my trip to Florida and Louisiana, I was a bit worn out, and was hit with some sickness.  And then last weekend I got the swine flu, but I survived!  Now I’m feeling pretty good, just in time for a trip to Denver, tomorrow!

November 2009

I’m heading to Denver with our Youth Group as we head to a Dare 2 Share meeting!  It’s a youth evangelism meeting that teaches teens how to share their faith.  I attended one a couple of years ago, and it’s very good and helpful with sharing your faith with your friends. We will be leaving early Thursday morning, and returning to Baker City, Oregon late Monday night!

Winter 2009-2010

It looks like Amy & I will be able to spend the holidays with our families.  I’ll be in Eastern Oregon, and Amy will be in Florida.  Then we are praying to be able to head to Mexico in January or February, but it will continue to depend upon our support levels.  Please pray with us as we wait!

Streams in The Desert Devotion
November 1

When the cloud remained…the Israelites…did not set out. (Numbers 9.19)

This was the ultimate test of obedience.  It was relatively easy to fold up their tents when the fleecy cloud slowly gathered over the tabernacle and began to majestically float ahead of the multitude of the Israelites.  Change normally seems pleasant, and the people were excited and interested in the route, the scenery, and the habitat of the next stopping place.

Yet having to wait was another story altogether.  “When the cloud remained,” however uninviting and sweltering the location, however trying to flesh and blood, however boring and wearisome to those who were impatient, however perilously close their exposure to danger – there was no option but to remain encamped.

The psalmist said, “I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry” (Ps. 40.1).  And what God did for the Old Testament saints, He will do for believers down through the ages, yet He will often keep us waiting.  Must we wait when we are face to face with a threatening opposition, surrounded by danger and fear, or below and unstable rock?  Would this not be the time to fold our tents and leave?  Have we not already suffered to the point of total collapse?  Can we not exchange the sweltering heat for “green pastures…[and] quiet waters” (Ps. 23.2)?

When God sends no answer and “the cloud remain[s],” we must wait.  Yet we can do so with the full assurance of God’s provision of manna, water from the rock, shelter, and protection from our enemies.  He never keeps us at our post without assuring us of His presence or sending us daily supplies.

Young person, wait-do not be in such a hurry to make a change! Minister, stay at your post! You must wait where you are until the cloud clearly begins to move.  Wait for the Lord to give you His good pleasure!  He will not be late! from Daily Devotional Commentary

• My Spiritual Life – as I continue to be a living example of who God is to all those around me
• Preparations for Mexico – get rid of the extra & pack the essentials
• Patience as I wait for God’s timing to send me to Mexico and wisdom in knowing what to do until then
• Praise God as HE continues to supply my needs
• Amy & I as we prepare for new challenges in Mexico!
• More laborers to share the Gospel!

Support Level

God continues to show His power & love in providing for Amy & I. In these last four months God has doubled my support level! When I sent my last newsletter, I was at 20% & now I’m at 47% ($1490)!

This little picture shows the progress of my monthly support! New Tribes – Mexico would like me to have enough support to make it to Cortez, Colorado, which is 60% before I can set a travel date & go to Mexico. But I would like to make it closer to the green star – which is past Albuquerque, New Mexico, about 80%. Currently “my car” is at 47%, which is at Woodside, Utah – about 9 hours from Oregon & 11 hours from El Paso, Texas! Amy has reached 57% and she is so close to reaching the required 60%. $31 a month equals 1% of my support. So I only need 14 individuals or churches to help me set my travel date to Mexico! If you have some more questions about this, please ask!  I only need to raise $400 of monthly support in order to set my travel date!

Can Amy go to Mexico when her support reaches 60% without you?

The simple answer is “No.” She will have to wait until I reach my 60% support level, and then we will both head down to Mexico together!

How much longer til you get to Mexico?

I know, I’m wondering that same thing myself. I think that this time of waiting has been teaching me a lot of things about God. Like “God does what He says He’ll do”, it’s a phrase that I learned while I helped out with 2 summer kids programs. In Psalm 46.10 it says: “Be still & know that I am God, I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” This verse has been an amazing reminder to me as I wait, wait for God’s timing to allow to me to leave for Mexico. He’s really the one doing the work & He can use me when & wherever He needs me. And His goal will continue to be: that everyone should know who He is! It takes a lot of pressure off me!

**I have been trying to mail this letter for the last week, but have had no Internet access on my laptop.  Hopefully I can get it mailed while I’m at one of the three airports I’ll be in today!**  Sunday update:  didn’t happen at the airports.  This is being sent from Oregon!

Here is a quick recap of my last four weeks.

Four weeks ago I was in Oregon & packing to head to Florida!

Three weeks ago I was in Florida!

Two weeks ago I was attending an amazing Seminar in Florida at the NTM Home Office – “Sharpening Your Inter-Personal Skills”.  It was a great seminar and will greatly help us with our friendship, our co-workers & teammates, & also in the future with anyone we come in contact with!  I normally hate attending seminars/workshops, but this was very good because it had a great amount of interaction with each other, and there was no boring lectures!  Following the seminar I was able to spend some more time with Amy & her family, and we even got to go to the Gulf of Mexico side of Florida!  Life was busy & exciting in Florida!  And I even saw my alligator!!  He/she was around 10-12 feet and I could have reached out & touched him!

One week ago I was in Louisiana.  I came to Louisiana with the big purpose of sharing at my cousin’s church in Erwinville, Louisiana.  I was able to share with their church on Sunday (9/6) for about an hour!  It was a great time & I came away totally encouraged by this church and their desire to see God’s name reach people all around the world!  I’ve been able to stay with my Aunt Rosie, and I have seen almost all of my cousins that live in Louisiana.  We even took a trip to Mississippi to visit with my cousin & her family.  Now I am helping my aunt pack for our trip to Oregon on Saturday!

My Aunt & I will flew home to Oregon on Saturday.  Then Sunday I plan to 56will drive her to my grandma’s house and she will spend about 2-3 weeks with her, while I will only stay until Wednesday.  And that is all of my traveling (I think) for just a little bit.  My next big travel plans should be to Mexico!!!

When I get back home to Oregon the next big plans are: continue to raise my prayer & financial support, prepare for a yard sale, & pack my things for Mexico.  Currently my financial support level has reached 41% ($1299 out of $3152)!!  Amy & I have been trying to plan for a leave date to head to Mexico, and while we would like for it to be October, we are really going to have to wait until our support level reaches 60% ($1900).  And then we will be able to plan on heading down to Mexico!

Please continue to pray for us as we seek to do God’s will in our lives.  Also as we are getting closer to heading to Mexico, and for our families as we will soon be leaving them.  And also praise God with us as He continues to prepare the way for us to head to Mexico!

Patiently waiting on the Lord,

Crystal Pierce
en route to Mexico with
New Tribes Mission
www.ntm.org/crystal_pierce

P.S.  You can also check out my website – it has now turned into a blog & it looks pretty good!  www.ntm.org/crystal_pierce And Amy’s is www.ntm.org/amy_heckman . ]]> http://blogs.ntm.org/crystal-pierce/2009/09/22/september-2009-travel-update/feed/ 0 http://blogs.ntm.org/crystal-pierce/2009/07/28/july-update-2009/ http://blogs.ntm.org/crystal-pierce/2009/07/28/july-update-2009/#comments Tue, 28 Jul 2009 04:00:00 +0000 Crystal Pierce Ephesians 2:10 - "For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago."]]>

Hey y’all,

This last month I have stayed busy with helping out at two Vacation Bible Schools, house-sitting, filling in for my sister at the church office while she was gone for 10 days, and hanging out with my family & friends!

Here are two pictures from the two Vacation Bible Schools (or Summer Kids Club!) I helped out with! The picture on the left happened at First Baptist Church in Haines, Oregon. Every day I was able to give a short presentation about Amy & I moving to Mexico. We were able to talk about fiestas, food, transportation, piñatas, and so much more! On the last day we had a fun quiz and reviewed all that we had learned, including learning about animism! It was cool for these kids to hear about what the kids in Mexico believe and how the kids there live in fear every day. The kids at Haines were so generous and raised money for Amy & I to buy mattresses after we get to Mexico!

Then after the 4th of July I helped out at my grandma’s church in Condon, Oregon. This time I was a group leader of 6-10 kids, depending on the night. The last night with my little group I explained about why I was moving to Mexico! The kids asked some really good questions about “why” I am moving to Mexico.

Here is my updated support level: 28%! Which is $868 committed monthly support out of $3100 of my recommended support! Just two months ago I was at 20%! It’s cool to watch how God provides for us as we trust Him to! My “car” has made it to: Blue Creek, Utah – which is kind of in the middle of nowhere Utah! Amy & I are praying for the opportunity head down to Mexico this Fall! God has risen Amy’s support to around 35% ($1085/3100)! Please be praying as we continue to seek out more financial support, we need to be at 60% ($1860/3100) before we can leave.

Click here for my prayer requests.

Thanks for letting me keep you updated on what’s happening in my life!
Your missionary en route to Mexico, Crystal

Hey y’all,

Here is a breakdown of what has been happening the past month! And just so you know, I did try to send this out about 3 weeks ago, but it did not work, plus I’ve added some more photos, so I hope you enjoy them!

May 11 – I celebrated my 26th birthday!!! How many of you thought I was younger than that??? Tell the truth!

May 12-19 – Amy & I finished our Washington & Oregon trip!!! Yeah! We traveled over 1700 miles! To pass the time in the car we counted Toyota Prius’ – 140, Log Trucks – 13, deer – 8, snakes – 2, & Scooby-Doo Mystery Machine Vans – 1 in Seattle! We also encountered rain, snow, wind, & sunshine, of course! It was so nice to see friends from our time at Bible School, friends that used to live in Baker (my hometown), family members, & meeting new people!! We also did a little bit of sightseeing by stopping at the Space Needle in Seattle & Crater Lake in southern Oregon. We shared at a Bible study in Seattle & a church in Ashland, Oregon about the need for the gospel to be shared with those that have no opportunity to hear about Jesus in their own heart language! It was a very encouraging time!

May 20-27 – My sister, Danielle, and I were able to get amazingly cheap plane tickets ($200!) to head down to San Diego, California to see my brother & sister-in-law!!  And before I headed down to Mexico, I really wanted to go down and see Lloyd & Rayne (brother & my sister-in-law) because it’ll be a while until I see them again. Plus, Lloyd got 5 days of leave to take us around San Diego! It was a great time just hanging out together for a week! While we were there we spent a little time hanging out by the pool soaking up the sun, visited La Jolla Beach with the sea lions, the Wild Animal Park (awesome), Point Loma Lighthouse, Balboa Park, Miramar, the Midway Carrier, and even saw one of my roommates from Bible School! San Diego is beautiful in the Spring time & I loved it!

May 28-30 – I started moving into an apartment with my sister, Danielle, until it’s time to move down to Mexico (September-ish)! I live on the old NTM MI property. Plus I got prepared to head to Meridian, Idaho!

May 31 – Amy & I were able to share with a young adult Sunday School class in Meridian, Idaho and then we had a BBQ with them! (Sorry, we didn’t take any pictures)

June 1-4 – I spent time some more time moving, packing, & cleaning, paying bills, and all the other responsible adult type things that need to get done. Amy & I were able to catch up with a dear friend, Linda, that lead a weekly Bible study for teen girls when we were in High school! I also did some babysitting this week, and will continue through part of July. And Amy & I shared with the teens from her church at an all-nighter about how they would be able to partner us after we move to Mexico! Amy braved it and stayed all night, while I went home to get a good night’s sleep in order to be prepared for the long weekend!June 5-6 – Amy & I drove up to Camp Elkanah (one of my most favorite places in the world!) and were able to go to a family camp with some of our friends from McEwen Bible Fellowship. We had a great time hanging out, resting, & relaxing. It was a special treat to see some of my dear friends from Ukiah & McEwen!

June 6-8 – I was sad to leave family camp behind, but I needed to road trip to St. Helens, Oregon! I was able to stay with some dear friends that used to live in Baker. Then on Sunday evening I was able to share at a church in Vernonia, Oregon! It was an awesome time! On Monday morning I drove to visit my Great Aunt Willa May in Portland, and in the afternoon I drove on home to Baker (5 hours)!

So that’s what I’ve been up to. How has your summer been going? Are you busier than me?!

Also I wanted to let you know that this month in the NTM@work, Amy & I were featured in the magazine! I’m including a link for you to check it out: http://www.ntm.org/magazine/09june/ (you can download/open it in Adobe Acrobat). The magazine also has some awesome articles about church planting, animism, literacy, and the chronological Bible teaching! Very good information to pass on to others that don’t know about what is happening among villages isolated from the Gospel!

My future summer plans includes: Babysitting, House/Pet-sitting, helping with 3 Vacation Bible Schools, finishing up attending a woman’s Bible study, continuing with the Young Adult Bible study, staying with my Grandma for the 4th of July & the week after, visiting a few more churches, hanging with friends in Baker, spending time with my parents, continue to raise my financial support, and whatever other random things may come up this summer!

Catch y’all later!

Crystal